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‘Gazpacho for Nacho’

Key Middle School Spanish teacher publishes bilingual children’s book.

Colleagues and friends of Key Middle School Spanish teacher Tracey Kyle describe her as a creative and engaging teacher who is always thinking of new ways to teach. Now, Kyle has taken her creativity one step further by writing "Gazpacho for Nacho." The book was published by Two Lions, a division of Amazon Publishing, in January.

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County Teachers Federation Honors Supervisor Herrity

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) was honored Jan. 11 by the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT). He received the organization’s 2013 President's Award for "consistent advocacy, proactive communications and support of (FCPS teachers) over the past year."

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Learning about Foster Care and Adoption

Children need permanent families in Fairfax County.

In Fairfax County, there are 265 children in Foster Care. That number may sound like a lot, said Nannette Bowler, director of Fairfax County Department of Family services, but that number was at over 3,000 children 10 years ago.

Republican Women of Clifton to Welcome U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa

The Republican Women of Clifton (RWC) welcomes U. S. Rep. Darrell Issa from California’s 49th Congressional district as guest speaker at its February meeting. Issa is recognized for his success as a Congressional watchdog of taxpayer dollars and serves as the top Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, charged with protecting the interests of U.S. taxpayers and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. The meeting will be on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Fairview Elementary School, 5815 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, and the social hour will begin at 7 p.m. when refreshments will be served. President Alice Butler-Short will open the business meeting at 7:30 p.m., after which Representative Issa will deliver comments and entertain questions.

Will Terms Go from Two Years to Four?

City ponders change to how long officials may serve.

The Fairfax City Council is pondering whether the terms of office for the mayor, council members and members of the School Board should be changed from two to four years. And during last week’s Council meeting, they voted to place the matter on a Nov. 4 advisory referendum.

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Councilman Stombres Not Seeking Another Term

Time for ‘new energy and a fresh perspective.’

While enjoying his time as a member of the Fairfax City Council, Steven Stombres will not be running for re-election. He made the announcement last Tuesday, Jan. 28, during the Council’s regular meeting.

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Groundhog Day Held At Frying Pan Park

Families visit groundhog burrow.

"They are like little lawnmowers, so when it is spring, they eat everything they can," said Frying Pan Park naturalist Shannon Morley. "When it is summer, they eat everything they can. And when it is fall they still eat. But in winter they rest or hibernate." Morely was giving a presentation to families on groundhogs that reside on the park grounds.

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Floris United Methodist Church To Host Chocolate Festival

On Saturday, Feb. 8, Floris United Methodist Church will hold its 23rd Annual Chocolate Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. One of the church’s largest community events, the festival features carnival games, large inflatables, face painting, balloon art, food and lots of chocolate. An entertainment and travel-themed Silent Auction and an expansive homemade bake sale table are other highlights of this event. It is free and all are welcome. The church is located at 13600 Frying Pan Road, in Herndon. For more information, go to www.florisumc.org/chocolate or call the church office at 703-793-0026.

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Entrepreneur Finds Outlets for His T-Shirt Designs

BAMindful Designs started with doodling.

Whole Foods Market in Rockville showcased a collection of Potomac resident Bryan Morris’ t-shirt designs on Sunday, Jan. 19. While Morris has sold his t-shirts to friends, family and people he has met through his family’s business, this was the local artist’s first appearance as a vendor in a commercial setting.

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Curtain Call

Potomac Theater Company will perform its final show in March.

The Potomac Theatre Company’s 25th Silver Anniversary Season will also be its last. “We’re going to have to close our doors,” said board member Carole Dell. “It’s really quite sad.”

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Tennis Comes Alive with ‘T&T’ and ‘Live Ball’ Clinics

Tennis Comes Alive with ‘T&T’ and ‘Live Ball’ Clinics

“Smash that ball! Put it away! Finish the point! Move your feet! Get your racquet back up and ready for the next shot!” Participants pant, sweat drips — the game is on and players are striving to improve. Balls fly across the net as players hit ground strokes, volleys and overheads. Pros holler tips, instructions and commands — encouraging players to move more quickly and hit more solidly.

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Scattering Low-Income Residents Across Alexandria

Public-housing authority considers redeveloping seven properties.

Uncertainty is hanging in the air for thousands of public-housing residents and their neighbors.

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Alexandria School Board Considers Budget as Search Continues for Superintendent

Interim leader proposes spending priorities for a system in transition.

Alexandria City Public Schools is in a state of flux. School Board members are conducting a national search for the next superintendent as students are flooding into the city's classrooms. Meanwhile, interim superintendent Alvin Crawley is proposing a 3.3 percent increase over last year's budget, adding $8 million to the existing $235 million operating budget.

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Nine Candidates Vying for Attention in 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary

Race to replace Jim Moran is expected to be competitive and expensive.

It's been three weeks since longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) announced that he would not be seeking a 13th term in Congress, opening up an epic primary fight that is now starting to take shape.

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Arlington Real-Estate Assessments Grow Six Percent

County leaders describe local economy as resilient and stable.

A decade ago, when the real-estate market was going gangbusters, the Arlington real-estate market regularly saw double-digit increases.